DENTAL IMPLANT AND SUPERSTRUCTURE FOR DENTAL PROSTHESIS

Abstract

Dental implant, comprising an external thread arranged on an outside of the dental implant for fastening the dental implant to a jawbone. Further, the implant comprises an opening extending along a longitudinal axis of the dental implant, in which opening an internal thread for fastening a superstructure to the dental implant is arranged. Still further, the implant comprises an interface for fastening the superstructure to the dental implant, which interface is arranged at a front end of the dental implant. The interface is suitable for direct attachment of a superstructure to the dental implant without the use of an abutment.

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. A superstructure for a dental prosthesis, comprising: a through-hole extending along a longitudinal axis of the superstructure; and an interface arranged at a front end of the superstructure for fastening the super-structure to a dental implant; wherein the interface comprises a concave, rounded curvature extending around the longitudinal axis over an angular range of at least 90, and a support surface arranged radially outwardly relative to the concave curvature, wherein the support sur-face has at least one annular portion that is oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis, and wherein, in a longitudinal section along the longitudinal axis of the superstructure, a tangent, that lies in the longitudinal cross section and is oriented tangentially to a radially outer edge of the concave curvature that faces the annular portion of the sup-port surface, is oriented parallel to or coplanar with the annular portion of the support surface.

22. The superstructure according to claim 21, wherein the interface is not rotationally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis in order to form an anti-rotation device.

23. The superstructure according to claim 21, wherein the interface is mirror-symmetrical to a longitudinal sectional plane in which the longitudinal axis lies.

24. The superstructure according to claim 21, wherein the annular portion of the support surface is oriented at an angle larger than 60 with respect to the longitudinal axis.

25. The superstructure according to claim 21, wherein the annular portion of the support surface is oriented orthogonally to the longitudinal axis.

26. The superstructure according to claim 21, wherein at least a part of the radially outer edge of the concave curvature and at least a part of a radially inner edge of the concave curvature each lie on a circular line.

27. The superstructure according to claim 21, wherein the concave curvature in the longitudinal section along the longitudinal axis of the superstructure is a circular sector.

28. The superstructure according to claim 27, wherein a central angle of the circular sector is 90.

29. The superstructure according to claim 21, wherein the concave curvature forms a transition between the annular portion of the support surface and the through-hole and is directly adjacent to the through-hole.

30. The superstructure according to claim 29, wherein the concave curvature is directly adjacent to the annular portion of the support surface.

31. The superstructure according to claim 21, wherein the concave curvature merges tangentially into the annular portion of the support surface.

32. The superstructure according to claim 21, wherein the concave curvature extends over an angular range of at least 270 around the longitudinal axis.

33. The superstructure according to claim 21, wherein the concave curvature extends over an angular range of 360 around the longitudinal axis.

34. A dental prosthesis, comprising: a dental implant; a superstructure; and a fastening member configured to fasten the superstructure to the dental implant; wherein the superstructure comprises: a through-hole extending along a longitudinal axis of the superstructure; and an interface arranged at a front end of the superstructure for fastening the super-structure to a dental implant; wherein the interface comprises a concave, rounded curvature extending around the longitudinal axis over an angular range of at least 90, and a support surface arranged radially outwardly relative to the concave curvature, wherein the support sur-face has at least one annular portion that is oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis, and wherein, in a longitudinal section along the longitudinal axis of the superstructure, a tangent, that lies in the longitudinal cross section and is oriented tangentially to a radially outer edge of the concave curvature that faces the annular portion of the sup-port surface, is oriented parallel to or coplanar with the annular portion of the support surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the dental implant;

[0048] FIG. 2 shows a top view from above of the first embodiment of the dental implant shown in FIG. 1;

[0049] FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section of the first embodiment of the dental implant shown in FIG. 1;

[0050] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the dental implant;

[0051] FIG. 5 shows a top view from above of the second embodiment of the dental implant shown in FIG. 4;

[0052] FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal section of the second embodiment of the dental implant shown in FIG. 4;

[0053] FIG. 7 shows a perspective detail view of a lower side of a superstructure matching the dental implant shown in FIG. 1-3;

[0054] FIG. 8 shows a perspective detail of a lower side of a superstructure matching the dental implant shown in FIG. 4-6; and

[0055] FIG. 9 shows a sectional view of a dental prosthesis which comprises the dental implant and the superstructure according to an embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0056] FIGS. 1-3 show a first embodiment of the dental implant in various views. The dental implant is therein denoted in its entirety with the reference number 10.

[0057] The dental implant 10 is typically made of titanium or zirconium oxide. It comprises an external thread 12 on its outside, which thread allows the dental implant 10 to be screwed into a patient's jawbone. The dental implant 10 extends substantially along a longitudinal axis 14, which may be also denoted as central axis. The dental implant 10 comprises an opening 16 in its interior, which opening extends along the longitudinal axis 14. Preferably, at least part of this opening 16 is configured as a hole, particularly preferably as a blind hole. An internal thread 18 is arranged in the opening 16. This internal thread serves to attach a superstructure 20 (artificial tooth crown) to the dental implant 10. A screw 22, which engages in the internal thread 18, is preferably used to attach the superstructure to the dental implant 10 (see FIG. 9).

[0058] At the upper front end, the dental implant 10 comprises an interface 24 (first interface 24), which is shown enlarged from above in FIG. 2 in a plan view. This interface 24 serves to attach the superstructure 20 to the dental implant 10. The interface 24 so to say forms the contact surface with which the dental implant 10 contacts the superstructure 20 in the assembled state.

[0059] A characteristic feature of the interface 24 is that its shape and design allows a direct attachment of the superstructure 20 to the dental implant 10 (without the use of an abutment arranged in between). In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the interface 24 is designed non-rotationally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis 14 of the dental implant 10 to form an anti-rotation device. On the other hand, it is mirror symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal section plane that is indicated in FIG. 2 with a dashed line 26. This longitudinal sectional plane 26 is defined by the longitudinal axis 14 and the radial direction 28 running orthogonally to it. It divides the dental implant 10 into two halves of equal size.

[0060] The interface 24 comprises a curvature 30 and a support surface 32 surrounding the curvature 30. The curvature 30 is mainly used to absorb forces in radial direction 28. The support surface 32 serves as an axial support, which mainly absorbs forces in the longitudinal direction, i.e. along the longitudinal axis 14. In the assembled state, the superstructure 20 is supported on both the curvature 30 and the support surface 32.

[0061] The curvature 30 is convex, i.e. curved outwards. The curvature 30 is rounded, i.e. not angular. The curvature 30 extends over an angular range of at least 90 around the longitudinal axis 14. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-3, this angular range is even greater than 200.

[0062] In this embodiment, the curvature 30 is not rotationally symmetrical. Viewed in cross-section (see FIG. 3), the curvature 30 is preferably configured as a circular sector with a central angle of =90. However, it goes without saying that other central angles are also possible. Likewise, the curvature 30 does not necessarily have to be circular in cross section. It can also be elliptically shaped or configured as a free-form surface.

[0063] The outer edge 34 and the inner edge 36 of the curvature 30 preferably lie on a circular line. In the plan view shown in FIG. 2, the curvature 30 is thus at least in sections annular. Thus, the curvature 30 forms a part of the surface of a torus.

[0064] Preferably, the curvature 30 directly adjoins the opening 16. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the inner edge 36 of the curvature 30 forms the upper edge of the opening 16. The outer edge 34 of the curvature 30 preferably directly adjoins an annular portion 38 of the support surface 32. This annular portion 38 runs transversely, preferably at an angle greater than 60, particularly preferably orthogonally to the longitudinal axis 14 of the dental implant 10. The curvature 30 projects upwards in relation to this annular portion 38.

[0065] As can also be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the curvature 30 comprises a notch 40 on a part of its circumference. At this notch 40, the curvature 30 is interrupted. The notch 40 serves as an anti-rotation device to protect the superstructure 20 from rotating relative to the dental implant 10.

[0066] FIG. 7 shows the interface 42 formed as a counterpart on the lower side of the superstructure 20, which interface is herein referred to as the second interface. The interface 42 also comprises a support surface 44 having at least one annular portion. As counterpart to the convex curvature 30, the interface 42 comprises a concave recess 46. Since this concave recess 46 is interrupted by a bar 48, the dental implant 10 and the superstructure 20 can only be arranged in a single defined position relative to one another. The support surfaces 32, 44 lie flat against each other and the convex curvature 30 engages in the concave recess 46.

[0067] To form connection between the dental implant 10 and the superstructure 20 that is as stable as possible, a tangent 50 to the outer edge 34 of the curvature is preferably oriented orthogonally to the support surface 32 or the annular portion 38. The angle of this tangent 50 to the annular portion 38 of the support surface 32 in this embodiment of the dental implant 10 is preferably at least 60. This is advantageous not only because of the stability, but also for reasons of easier fabrication.

[0068] When comparing FIGS. 2 and 7, another advantage of the interfaces 24, 42 should be pointed out. By simple modification of the interface 44 it is possible to remove the anti-rotation device. For example, by omitting the bar 48 and designing the concave recess 46 all around, the anti-rotation device required for clear positioning between the superstructure 20 and the dental implant 10 is removed. This can be advantageous, for example, if such a clear positioning is not required. This may be advantageous, for example, if a bridge is mounted as superstructure 20 on the dental implant 10.

[0069] FIGS. 4-6 show a second embodiment of the dental implant 10. For the sake of simplicity, only the differences to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3 will be discussed below.

[0070] In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-6, the support surface 32 has a continuous annular shape. Thus, the annular portion 38 forms the entire support surface 32, while the convex curvature 30 is at least partially arranged in the opening 16. It forms the upper end of the opening 16.

[0071] Another difference to the first embodiment is that the tangent 50 runs parallel to the annular portion 38 of support surface 32. More precisely, the annular portion 38 of the support surface 32 merges tangentially into the convex curvature 30 (see FIG. 6). The convex curvature 30 completely surrounds the longitudinal axis 14 in this embodiment. Thus, it extends over an angular range of 360 around the longitudinal axis 14. Accordingly, the convex curvature 30 is rotationally symmetrical according to this embodiment. Nevertheless, the interface 24 is in its entirety not rotationally symmetrical. In addition to the support surface 32 and the convexity 30, it comprises an anti-rotation section 52. Spatially considered, this anti-rotation section 52 is arranged in the opening 16 between the convex curvature 30 and the internal thread 18.

[0072] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-6, the anti-rotation section 52 comprises two semicircular surfaces 54, 56 that are arranged offset to one another along the longitudinal axis 14. It is understood, however, that these two surfaces 54, 56 do not necessarily have to be semicircular. Preferably, the two surfaces 54, 56 are oriented orthogonally to the longitudinal axis.

[0073] FIG. 8 shows the interface 42 which serves as a counterpart to the interface 24 according to the second embodiment and is arranged on the lower side of the superstructure 20. The support surface 44 is again annular in shape. Corresponding to the convex curvature 30, a concave curvature 46 is provided on the lower side of the superstructure 20, which concave curvature in this case projects downwards from the support surface 44. As counterparts to the surfaces 54, 56, planar surfaces 58, 60 arranged adjacent to the concave curvature 46 are provided on the front end. These flat surfaces 58, 60 are here also designed as semi-circular surfaces and are arranged offset to each other in relation to the longitudinal axis 14.

[0074] In the assembled state, the support surface 32 of the dental implant 10 lies against the support surface 44 of the superstructure 20, the convex curvature 30 lies against the concave curvature 46, and the surfaces 54, 56 lie against the surfaces 58, 60. Here, too, the interfaces 24, 42 again allow only a single defined alignment of the dental implant 10 and the superstructure 20 relative to one another.

[0075] FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a dental prosthesis 100, in which the dental implant 10 is used. The first interface 24 of the dental implant 10 and the second interface 42 of the superstructure 20 are preferably manufactured in an automated way on the basis of a CAD data set by milling, preferably by means of a ball milling cutter. An extra abutment is not required. Nevertheless, the connection between the superstructure 20 and the dental implant 10 is configured as a detachable connection. The superstructure 20 is attached to the dental implant 10 with a fastening screw 62. The fastening screw 62 is inserted into the dental implant 10 through a through hole 68 in the superstructure 20. This through hole 68 is closed again after connecting the superstructure 20 to the dental implant 10. The fastening screw 62 comprises an external thread 64 at its lower edge which external thread engages in the internal thread 18 arranged in the dental implant 10.

[0076] Finally, it should be noted that the two embodiments of the dental implant 10 shown here represent only two of many possible embodiments. It goes without saying that various features of these two embodiments can be easily modified without leaving the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. It is also understood that various features of these two embodiments can be combined and/or exchanged without leaving the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0077] It is to be understood that the foregoing is a description of one or more preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. The invention is not limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed herein, but rather is defined solely by the claims below. Furthermore, the statements contained in the foregoing description relate to particular embodiments and are not to be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention or on the definition of terms used in the claims, except where a term or phrase is expressly defined above. Various other embodiments and various changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiment(s) will become apparent to those skilled in the art. All such other embodiments, changes, and modifications are intended to come within the scope of the appended claims.

[0078] As used in this specification and claims, the terms for example, e.g., for instance, such as, and like, and the verbs comprising, having, including, and their other verb forms, when used in conjunction with a listing of one or more components or other items, are each to be construed as open-ended, meaning that the listing is not to be considered as excluding other, additional components or items. Other terms are to be construed using their broadest reasonable meaning unless they are used in a context that requires a different interpretation.